The International Day of Forests was established on the 21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. 

“International Forest Day is a tremendous occasion to celebrate the world’s wildlife and humanities’ achievements in the preservation of it, to educate the public on forests and ecosystems. But it is also a suitable opportunity and the right time to address global problems and to mobilize political will to take action. Last month, the UN agency on climate change, IPCC, published a report revealing the deadly consequences of climate change for people in all parts of the world in the coming decades. The consequences of climate change are worse than ever, highlighting the importance of global unity”- wrote the United Nations official website. 

People’s lives are just as dependent on the land as on the sea regarding both food and livelihood. Moreover, forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land and accommodate more than 80% of the terrestrial specifies of animals, plants, and insects. Forests cover 30% of the earth’s surface and are vital habitats for millions of species, they are sources of clean air and water, and of course crucial for fighting climate change. A study from the UN shows that forests actually can lift one billion people out of poverty and create additional 80 million green jobs.

In different countries of the world, people and specialists are trying to save forest resources. 

Mikheil Joglidze is from Georgia. He was born in a place that is part of a National Park.  He is a graduate of Ilia State University Master’s Program in Nature. works as a  mountain guide,  teaches students to care for nature, and on behalf of the various projects, he explores Georgian biodiversity.  Mikheil shared with us the main topics, challenges, and problems about the forests – “  The existence of forest resources is vital because the forests produce one of the main sources of life- oxygen.

In addition, forests represent the habitat of many living organisms and contribute to the development of biodiversity. Can regulate climate, maintain temperature, stop fires,  floods, etc. Sometimes people consider that forests are like natural resources we must hack away and use for manufacture, but that is not right. That kind of attitude is destructive to the flora and fauna- said Mikheil. 

 As he mentioned, forests chopping happens in the world. The number of natural forests in the world is very reduced, which in turn implies an increased concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. Artificial plantations are being built that provide better terrain, although monocultural species limit the development of biodiversity and are still bad for wildlife. Natural forest areas are critically declining around the world.

One of Mikheil’s last projects was the research of biodiversity in the protected area of ​​Georgia. he notes that forest chopping is a problem of Georgia, too, In the main case for heating purposes. In some cases even material. Georgia is one of the countries in which historical natural forests are preserved.  “ Fortunately there are protected areas that protect similar forests. Of course, there are many challenges in Georgia in this regard, but I think that this issue is being addressed “. 

At the end of the interview, Mikheil added that Awareness raising plays an important role in forest survival. Understanding the existence of forests is one of the main guarantees of our life. It is very effective to create protected areas and protect forests with a similar mechanism. Also, moderate and efficient use of the resource. Make energy-efficient stoves that use wood resources to the maximum and efficiently. Making pallets and their consumption for heating. Replacement of energy derived from wood resources with renewable energy. e.g., wind, sun, etc- said Mikheil Joglidze

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) celebrated International Forest Day on 21 March with an online event focusing on how leaders in the fashion textile and packaging sectors are shaping sustainable relationships between forests and circular production models to reduce CO2 emissions, waste, and pollution.

experts shared innovative resolutions to transform the linear economy into a circular economy and embed it into supply chains. For more information about the event, you can read here

Tamar Chkhikvadze

PhotoCredit: Mikheil Joglidze